Motif
Ltd. is an ethical trading, private ltd. company led by British designer Jackie
Corlett, who originally worked in Bangladesh for over 5 years with local craft
makers and weavers through a local NGO. During this period personal views formed
on the vital role of market-led ethical trading, resulting in Motif established
in 1998.

The women making Motif products
are marginalised for reasons more than poverty. We look to employ women experiencing
discrimination in other ways too: some are former prostitutes; others have been
affected by leprosy or other wasting diseases; some may have been divorced or
abandoned - each situation scars women with a stigma that reduces their chance
of decent employment. Employment at Motif daily provides a 'safe place' where
they can share with other women and be earning at the same time. Many also take
materials home, working when daily chores are put down. All enjoy the camaraderie
together, we have a great family atmosphere here.

Motif
designs and makes unique lifestyle fabrics and accessories currently for European
markets, and we are actively looking to expand. Although all items are produced
within a fair trade context, this is not a top selling point - quality
of design/production, good prices, timely deliveries and strong relationships
will guarantee continued sales and growth of our company. If a trade buyer needs
to know our practises we proudly own our credentials as a fair trade supplier;
if such 'detail' is not important - it remains a nice surprise for when it is!
This stand is Motif's contribution to making fair trade the norm for international
trading, rather than a unique selling point. We are in the process of being raised
from affiliate to full membership status of WFTO.

The Motif crew at work, Dhaka

We do however
encourage fair trade retailers to market themselves and the concept of
ethical trading in radical and imaginative ways. They and their customers are
the ones who will ultimately raise the bar for other traders to include fairly
traded products in their ranges; products that give bottom line goals, give workers
a good wage earned in a good environment, and give consumers the satisfaction
of a very 'whole' purchase.

We had a discussion together, 'what would we
say to a Ganesha customer if we were in the shop with him/her right now?' 'you
can rely on our quality and good value.', 'tell your family and friends about
our products', 'we're not ashamed of our need for your support - we make great
things for you to use and wear, and we get more orders when you buy them.', 'we
want to work and earn a living - not live on shameful handouts.', 'with good orders
we earn a good wage and can also save something for our future.', 'with good orders
we build up Motif, this is important for our future security - we're not in a
charity.' - with thanks to Jharna, Shirin, Jyostna and Nasma.

The male
staff who do all the external work of raw material purchase, local marketing,
banking and export logistics are also on the lower rungs of society. Together
we are building Motif into a sustainable, ethically trading business that will
still be here 30 + years from now bringing great products into an increasingly
ethically aware market and dignity, integrity and a 'safe place' to many more
marginalised women.

Jackie Corlett, Motif.

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